Pakistan cricket finds itself navigating fresh turbulence as Australian bowling coach Ashley Noffke has resigned from his position after just 16 months, while star wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan remains gagged by the Pakistan Cricket Board despite twice requesting permission to address a controversial cyber crime investigation.
Noffke, who played limited international cricket for Australia with one ODI and two T20I appearances, informed the PCB of his decision to step down and is reportedly in talks to become head coach of an associate nation. He will stay on temporarily to guide Pakistan through the Asian Games quarter-final on September 28 before departing permanently.
The 47-year-old joined Pakistan’s coaching setup in May 2025 under white-ball head coach Mike Hesson but was thrust into a crisis role during the disastrous England Test tour in September. After Pakistan lost the opening two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s, the PCB replaced Umar Gul with Noffke as interim Test bowling coach in a desperate mid-series shake-up. The gamble failed spectacularly as Pakistan collapsed to an eight-wicket defeat in the third Test, completing a humiliating 3-0 whitewash.
Noffke’s resignation leaves another vacancy in Pakistan’s revolving door of coaching staff. The PCB has advertised for replacements, requiring Level 3 coaching accreditation and five years of experience, with applications closing October 8.
Meanwhile, the Rizwan situation has created a parallel crisis. Sources reveal the wicketkeeper-batter sought PCB permission twice to speak publicly about the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency inquiry that saw his mobile phone seized after the Lord’s Test. Both requests were denied under central contract clause 4.1, which requires board approval for public statements.
Rizwan wanted to explain allegations against him and detail a letter he sent to the International Cricket Council seeking guidance on whether proper procedures were followed when authorities took his phone. His lawyer told Lahore High Court that Rizwan was summoned to a hotel lobby without notice, questioned, and had his device confiscated with promises of a three-hour return that never materialized.
The inquiry reportedly involves online betting, gambling, and alleged information leaks from Pakistan’s dressing room during the England series. Rizwan and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq appeared before investigators in Lahore earlier this month, though no official findings have been announced. Both were dropped from the Test squad following the Lord’s defeat.
Sources insist Rizwan does not intend to accuse the PCB or any organization but simply wants to present his version of events to the public. His silence, enforced by contractual obligations, has only fueled speculation and conspiracy theories among Pakistan’s passionate cricket community.
Amid the chaos, the PCB delivered rare positive news by awarding central contracts to Under-19 players for the first time in history. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision after meeting the U19 squad following their impressive 3-1 ODI series victory in England.
Captain Farhan Yousuf and teammates expressed gratitude, with young cricketer Jahangir Bilal noting the contracts would help players support their families financially. Head coach Shahid Anwar called it a confidence booster that would motivate emerging talent.
Yet the positive youth development story risks being overshadowed by senior team dysfunction. Pakistan cricket faces mounting questions about coaching instability, player treatment, and transparency in investigations that directly impact its biggest stars. With Noffke’s departure and Rizwan’s enforced silence, the crisis of confidence in PCB management deepens at a critical time for Pakistan cricket.
